GWENDOLYN ROBERTS 2024

YOUNG ARTIST OF THE YEAR

We are very proud to announce the winners of the 2024

Gwendolyn Roberts Young Artist Award

On Sunday, May 19, NATS-LA sponsored the Gwendolyn Roberts Young Artist Auditions at Fullerton College.  Adjudicators were Ida Nicolosi, Janelle DeStefano, and Anthony Moreno.  Susan Ali served as chair of the NATS-LA Young Artist Program during the 2022 to 2024 terms.

Sean Stanton, student of Lynn Helding, was awarded the first place prize of $1500.  Sean will present a recital in Fall 2024. Stay tuned to NATS-LA for further information about the location, date and time of this exciting event!

In second place, and winning the award of $500 was Timothy Widner, student of Aram Barsamian.

In third place, Isabella Adad, student of Dr. Michele Patzakis, was awarded $300.

It was an afternoon of beautiful singing and excellent NATS-LA member collegiality.  Congratulations to all involved!

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First Place, Winner of $1500 Scholarship Award  

Sean Stanton

(Student of LYNN HELDING)

Sean Stanton's distinguished career in the opera world showcases his exceptional talents as a singer, clinician, and educator. He has performed leading roles with esteemed companies such as Central City Opera (CO), Opera North (NH), Opera on the James (VA), Opera Southwest (NM), and Opera Steamboat (CO). Sean's repertoire highlights his artistic prowess: he starred in the West Coast Premiere of Manfred, brought Sam to life in Trouble in Tahiti, and portrayed Horace Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe and Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly. Sean is known for his exceptional performances in Mozartian roles, including Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and Publio in La Clemenza di Tito.

He earned numerous accolades on the competition circuit, including the prestigious Lola Fletcher Award from the American Opera Society and awards from James Toland Vocal Arts, the New York Lyric Opera Theatre, Classical Singer, the Bel Canto Foundation, and the Luminarts Cultural Foundation. Sean won 1st place in the Chicago, Illinois, and Central Region NATS competitions. Sean has appeared in masterclasses with artists such as Sherrill Milnes, Renée Fleming, Dame Emma Kirby, and John Wustman. 

Before relocating to Los Angeles, Sean was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus, Chicago Symphony Chorus, and Grant Park Chorus. He also served as a teaching artist in Music of the Baroque's Strong Voices outreach program. 

In addition to his performance career, Sean is a dedicated educator and clinician. He has delivered interactive presentations on Qi Gong (life force energy) for Singers at institutions, including the University of Southern California, the University of New Mexico, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Classical Singer, and the Central Region NATS Conference.

Sean is a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California, where he is the head graduate teaching assistant in Vocal Arts and studies with Professor Lynn Helding.

Second Place, Winner of $500 Scholarship Award

Timothy Widner

(Student of aram barsamian)

Tim Widner, baritone, began his studies at Fullerton College and received his Bachelor of Music in opera performance at California State University Long Beach Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Starting in Fall of 2024, he will begin his graduate studies at Bard Conservatory in pursuit of a MM in vocal arts. Upon completion of his studies, he intends to pursue a career as a professional singer.

His stage experience includes performing as the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro, the Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen, Papageno in The Magic Flute, the father in Hansel and Gretel, Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Golaud in a scene from Pelléas et Mélisande, Enrico in the act 2 duet from Lucia di Lammermoor, Rangoni in the act 3 duet from Boris Godunov, the title role in the 3rd act finale of Guillaume Tell, Count Almaviva in act 1 of Le Nozze di Figaro, Guglielmo in a scene from act 2 of Così fan tutte, Belcore in the act 1 finale of L’elisir d’amore, Emilio in the first act of Il cappello di paglia di Firenze, Pandolfe in Act 3 of Cendrillon, and Masetto in a scene from Act 2 of Don Giovanni. He also sang the bass solos in the Mozart Requiem.

Mr. Widner placed 2nd in the 2024 NATS-LA Young Artist Audition, 3rd in the Spring 2019 NATS-LA Collegiate Auditions, 1st in the Spring 2021 NATS-LA Collegiate Auditions, and 3rd in the 2023 NATS Cal Western Regionals. He is currently studying voice with Professor Aram Barsamian. At CSULB, he was a recipient of the J & E McWilliams Endowment scholarship.

Third Place, Winner of $300 Scholarship Award

Isabella Adad

(Student of Michele patzakis)

Isabella Adad is a classically trained soprano and pop singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. She recently graduated with her Bachelor of Music in Classical Vocal Performance and Music and Worship from Azusa Pacific University in 2023, and currently teaches voice and piano lessons at San Dimas Music Academy. Isabella’s passion for performance began at a young age, as she grew up playing piano and performing in musical theater productions from the age of 9. Recent theater and opera credits include Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, Marilyn Monroe in the modern opera, Marilyn Forever, and ensemble in Suor Angelica, as well as excerpts from L’elisir d’Amore (Gianetta), Die Zauberflöte (Second Lady), Le Nozze di Figaro (The Countess), and Candide (Ensemble). She trained classically under Dr. Michele Patzakis, and also under Dr. Kristof Van Grysperre in APU’s Opera Workshop program. She previously trained classically under Dr. Melanie Galloway, and commercially under Aretha Scruggs and Kim Maguire. 

Isabella also loves to sing and write commercial music, specifically in the pop and singer/songwriter genres. Within the last year, she released her first two singles, “Ghost to You” and “Crying On My Birthday,” both available now on all streaming platforms. She continues to work on her original music today, while auditioning and performing classically and commercially in Los Angeles.